Chaos' Heir

By then, the word had been out for years. Everyone knew Khan had developed a new scientific field capable of countless applications. The Scalqa's weapons spread that ability to magic items, rousing more than enough interest.

The lessons, assassination attempt, and slaughters had put things on hold. No one would dare question Khan about his abilities anymore, but the nobles were an exception. They shared Khan's status, granting them liberties even the best scientists in the Global Army couldn't claim.

Prince Catlee and Prince Duter sounded serious about the request, but the absence of malice in their mana didn't stop Khan from considering negative repercussions.

Truth be told, Khan's runes were impossible to replicate. During his lessons, he had explained the foundation of Nele and Niqols arts, but his scientific field required advanced applications and a deep knowledge of the Thilku's symbols. That already was an unlikely combination, but the topic even had a deeper layer.

Khan could imagine that the Global Army's scientists wanted to study his final products. However, humans couldn't distinguish between synthetic and natural mana, and their knowledge didn't touch on the specific meanings that energy could wield.

The runes resulted from Khan's unique mana and specific meanings, which the Global Army couldn't identify from the final product. He believed the best human scientists might come close to defining them, but replicating them was a different issue. The same went for finding experts who could excel in all the other requirements.

In many ways, the assassination attempt couldn't have come at a better time. Khan had ended the lessons before the Global Army could develop methods to translate his alien arts, which was its ultimate goal. Basically, his monopoly remained safe and would continue to do so even if he sold his creations.

Putting aside the potential problems allowed Khan to notice interesting details in the Princes' offer. The latter didn't give specifics, but Khan guessed the compensation would involve many Credits. Still, if he had to be realistic, he didn't believe his creations deserved so much money.

The issue wasn't with raw power. Khan's element allowed the simplest rune to unleash massive, destructive energy, ensuring its effectiveness. However, the Global Army's weapons could achieve similar results at a far lower production cost. The Princes were better off buying grenades than Khan's spears.

The same applied to other items. Earth's blacksmiths could make far better weapons and items than Khan. Moreover, their craft was reliable and didn't come at the whims of a domineering man pretending to be human.

Nevertheless, those considerations resulted from Khan's perspective since he knew his current skill level. Instead, the offer told him that the Princes were overestimating him, which could favor him. Khan needed to improve in that field anyway, so he wouldn't mind earning money and value in the meantime.

"Which items?" Khan questioned.

Prince Catlee and Prince Duter's eyes lit up. Khan had been a wall until now, but the question showed hope. Actually, the Princes knew the deal was already in place. The two parties only had to agree on the specifics.

"Those spears we have seen in the settlement," Prince Catlee mentioned, "How many hundreds can you deliver by next month?"

"The slings are also interesting," Prince Duter added. "Could you apply the same effects to metal bullets? My family would be happy to provide those."

The conversation had immediately delved into topics Khan didn't want to face. The Princes sounded curious, but their questions inevitably probed Khan's skill level. The nobles would obtain information even if the negotiations were to fail.

"Both your families can provide items of equal effects and efficiency," Khan pointed out. "I thought your requests would have been more specific."

Khan had spoken the truth, and the two Princes could only smile. They understood what had happened, but their genuine innocence wouldn't work there. There was no point in justifying their questions after that reply.

"Armor, mainly," Prince Catlee explained. "My family has plenty of defensive equipment, but its efficiency is lackluster, and high mana consumption is required to increase it."

"What makes you think I wouldn't have the same expenses?" Khan wondered.

"Prince Khan, you turned wooden spears into magic weapons," Prince Catlee stated. "It stands to reason you can do the same with common clothes."

"What about you?" Khan asked, looking at Prince Duter.

"If possible," Prince Duter, "Disposable items. My family can build them, but I'm inclined to believe yours would have higher efficiency."

"Like potions and ointments?" Khan probed.

"Specific grenades," Prince Duter explained, "Barriers, or even life-saving items. I'll buy it as long as it's useful."

Khan refilled his glass as he delved deep into his thoughts. The reinforced defensive equipment had tickled his brain for a while. He didn't need it since his techniques covered that, but Monica and his closest allies might find it helpful.

Khan even had a vague blueprint in mind for the prototype. He had turned the [Blood Vortex] into a rune so the [Blood Shield] could survive a similar process. Theoretically, Khan wouldn't even need to use his own blood to achieve similar effects.

As for the disposable items, the topic had also crossed Khan's mind but was too vague to give birth to actual ideas. That field relied on knowledge and imagination, which Khan lacked since he had mostly explored alien techniques. Still, reading a list of common equipment and questioning Monica could solve the issue.

'I do need to test different stuff,' Khan considered. 'I'll always remain stuck with Monica's item otherwise.'

"No timeline," Khan exclaimed, "No quantities. I'm busy, so you'll get what I make when I make it."

"That's perfect," Prince Catlee said.

"More than we hoped for," Prince Duter added.

"The planet has no available quadrants," Khan continued, moving to the money part of the negotiation. "You can only use the cities."

The compensations the nobles talked about weren't limited to mere Credits. The Princes didn't specify it, but people at that level often implied assets when discussing payments.

Having noble assets on the planet could easily lead to problems, but luckily, Khan had already assigned the quadrants to other descendants. The Princes could only occupy empty spots inside the cities, which would be under stricter control.

"I can send a few war-related factories," Prince Catlee offered. "No soldiers. Only the equipment required to build rifles and other weapons."

"Extractors," Prince Duter added. "Mana extractors, metal extractors, you name it. I'm sure your planet has resources you have yet to harness."

Khan didn't want to turn Baoway into Neuria. He preferred to salvage its natural environment. Yet, the cities had specific locations. He had chosen them precisely to limit pollution and destruction so that eventual big factories wouldn't affect the quadrant.

"We have a deal," Khan declared. "I'll write a list of the materials I need. As for factories and extractors, I'm sure I can rely on your expertise."

"Of course," Prince Catlee confirmed, standing up. "I'm glad we could find an agreement."

"Indeed, Prince Khan," Prince Duter exclaimed, also standing up. "I'll make sure my family learns about this pleasant negotiation."

The two Princes half-expected Khan to stand up, too, but he focused on his drink, making them give up on polite goodbyes. The nobles limited themselves to a simple bow before leaving the hall, disappearing somewhere inside the building.

'Weapons and extractors,' Khan thought, enjoying what was left of his drink. 'I need to summon more soldiers. The Thilku also have to send additional assets.'

Managing an entire planet grew more complicated as Khan added parties and equipment to its equation. Appointing entire quadrants to the allied descendants saved him from many headaches, but the matter was far from easy, even when relying on Monica for many parts of those deals.

However, the benefits were massive. The money and assets were valuable, but Khan mostly thought about security. The Thilku Empire's presence made Baoway almost untouchable for the Global Army, and adding the nobles would only reinforce his authority.

'No wonder they can't raise their attunement with mana,' Khan eventually concluded. 'Where would they even find the time?'

Khan was experiencing the life of wealthy descendants now, and even when compartmentalizing many of his duties, his free time remained scarce. Moreover, new obligations had landed on his hands, and he wasn't even done for the day.

Khan was experiencing the life of wealthy descendants now, and even when compartmentalizing many of his duties, his free time remained scarce. Moreover, new obligations had landed on his hands, and he wasn't even done for the day.

It didn't come as a surprise anymore that many lofty figures failed or completely abandoned the idea of growing stronger. Yet, Khan knew he had to succeed despite the odds. Being the best had always been his best shield, and his current situation required that more than ever.

The conversation with the Princes made Khan's fingers tingle. He couldn't wait to test the new ideas that had popped into his mind. It had been a while since Khan had experimented on anything that wasn't Monica's items, and he wanted to see how good he had gotten on more general equipment.

However, the hall's door opened before Khan could jump to his feet, and the auras that leaked inside told him his free time had yet to arrive. Khan didn't need to turn to know that Princess Virrai and Princess Saintilon had entered the room, and their intentions felt more than evident.